Lubricating device



May 30, 1939. N. R. KRAUsE LUBRICATING DEVICE IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED s'rlx'rrs PATENT OFFICEV LUBRKICATIN G DEVICEl Norman R. Krause, Racine, Wis.

Application January 11, 1937, Serial No. 119,963

12 Claims.

to arrange the pumpingmeans to operate as a l` relieving device for excessive pressure in the event that such is developed by the charging means.

Further objects and advantages will be apparentfrom the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in vertical axial section, of a device embodying my improvements.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showingcertain `mechanism indicated in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on theline 3 3 of'Fig. 2. Y l

Similar reference characters have been applied' to thesame parts throughout the drawings and specification.

As` seen in Fig. 1,V the device comprises generally a body portion B, in which is reciprocably arranged. anactuatingv plungerV A, abutting a pump plunger P, which expels lubricant through a nozzleN,4 the lubricant being contained in a -reservoir l.V the reservoir being recharged in` any of a varietyof ways, conveniently through a charging tting- C. Y v Y- Body portion B is provided'with a bore I in approximately the -mid-portionthereof, in which 4() actuating plunger A.` is freely reciprocable, a

bushing Y2 being threaded or otherwise xed in the body portion at a distance from bore I, and providing a. bore 3ffor guiding the plunger. A larger bore 4 adjacent to bore I contains a quantityk of packing 5,l compressed about plunger A- by means of a follower B, the whole forming a f 55 spring if desired. In this way a continuous pres- Aspring 8 is arranged in bore 'I between sure is maintained on the follower to hold the packing compressed about the rod, and also ya retracting pressure is continuously exerted, tending to return the plunger to starting positionafter each stroke. I

Pin 9 extends outwardly through the wall of body portion B, being slidable in a slot II which prevents turning of the body portion about the plunger. A pistol grip or handle I2 is suitably xed with the plunger, as by a pin I3, by which l0 the whole instrument is carried and manipulated. Plunger P is slidable in a substantiallyY Yfluidtight manner in a barrel orcylinder element I4 suitably fixed with the extremity of body portion B opposite bushing 2, and preferably has a head 15 1 I5`engageable with the end of actuating plunger A, and urged toward the` right as seen in then gure by a spring I6, engaged, for example, between the head anda portion of cylinder element I4. The cylinder provides an inlet port or 201iports II--I'l so located as to be covered by the plunger during the major portion of its travel, but to be uncovered when the plunger isl fully retracted so that grease from the space about the cylinder may flow into the void left therein 25Av by the retreating plunger.

At the discharge end of cylinder I4 a ball or, other suitable valve element I8 is positioned to l close the exit, being yieldably held in position'f by a spring I9, engaged between the ball and a 30"'` convenient portion of nozzle N. Forward movement of the plunger P caused by thrust, on plunger A through handle I2 will expel grease in cylinder I4 as soon as the end of the plunger passes ports I'I--IL the pressure raising ball I8 olf of its 35v seat on the cylinder by compressing spring I9,YV and the grease flowing past the lball into nozzleV N. Upon retraction of plunger A, spring I6 re- K tracts plunger PA against the V,vacuum formed in the cylinder, the grease Ybeing prevented from, 40 returning from nozzle N by valve element I8, the spring beingmade sufficiently strong to do this, and grease ows into the cylinder through ports l'l-Il as soon as they are uncovered by the plunger end. A suitable chuck portion 20 is fixed ,to the nozzle N, and may be arranged for cooperation with any desired form of grease receiving tting, or for discharging grease in locations .where it is inconvenient or undesirable to` provide fittings.

Body portion B is preferably provided with an ante-chamber 2| having threaded or otherwise removably fixed therewith a reservoir cylinder or member 22 which is arranged to co-ntain grease under a light pressure in readiness for charging cylinder I4, and various means are contemplated for replenishing the reservoir. Above mentioned fitting C' preferably opens into ante-chamber 2|, and, when a source of grease under high pressure is available, the reservoir may be recharged by merely introducing the grease through the fitting in well known manner.

It will be noted that, during this operation, the plunger P is normally retracted so that ports I1 are open to ante-chamber 2|, and that, under these conditions Whatever pressure is developed in the chamber is communicated directly through cylinder I4 to ball valve element I8. The pressure available from any high-pressure grease source is enormously higher than that designed to be maintained in reservoir 22, and, in the present instance the pressure of valve-spring I9 is so chosen that the ball will be forced from its seat and grease will be allowed to escape through noz- Zle N before a pressure is built up in the reservoir sulicient to endanger the structure. Thus, not only is the reservoir protected from bursting stresses, but the operator is apprized of the fact that the reservoir is full by the escape of grease from the nozzle.

Pressure is maintained on the grease in reservoir R by a piston generally designated as 23, which is indirectly urged against the grease by a spring 24, which may be latched back as shown when it is desired to remove the pressure for any reason. Y

As more particularly shown in Fig. 2, piston 23 comprises an inner sleeve or gland element 25, preferably loosely slidable on a rod 25 extending axially through the reservoir for a purpose to appear, the sleeve having a flange 21, between which and a nut 28, are clamped in the order mentioned, a metallic or other suitable washer 29, a cup leather 3D, a washer 3|, a cup leather 32. and a Washer 33. Other suitable constructions of piston are contemplated as equivalent, the chief requirements being that they shall be substantially huid-tight under moderate pressure. The surface 34 of the sleeve forms part of a stung box to prevent leakage about the rod 26.

Spring 24 is arranged between a latch-plate 35 and a movable collar 36 engaged with a gland element 31, also slidable on rod 26, the same containing a quantity of packing 38 and having a backwardly extending neck portion 3S. The neck portion has at its extremity a conical or other suitable head 40 having a shoulder 4| which may be engaged by a latch 42 for holding the gland element, collar and spring retracted so as to remove the spring pressure from piston 23. As will be apparent, when the head is not engaged by the latch, the whole assembly including the gland element will be forced to the left as seen in Fig. 2, packing 38 being compressed between surface 34 on sleeve 25, and the walls of gland element 31, this force compressing it about rod 28, and providing a fluid-tight seal where it passes through the piston. This force also forces piston 23 to the left until it is arrested by the pressure set up in the grease.

Latch 42 comprises a plate provided with a central opening 43, Fig. 3, large enough for head 40 to pass through. The latch lies in face-toface contact with latch plate 35 and is pivoted by means of a pin 44 extending backwardly through a cylinder head 45, so as to swing to one side to engage the shoulder 4I as shown particularly in Fig. 3. The latch is spaced from the cylinder head by means of a C-spring 46 having an end' portion 41 engaged about a pin 48 fixed with the latch and projecting through a slot 49 in the cylinder head so that it may be manually engaged for shifting the latch when it is desired to release the head 4U, and apply pressure to piston 23.

Cylinder head 45 may be fixed with the cylinder 22 in any desired manner, in the present instance a flange or rim 5G encircling the cylinder, .and a plurality of rivets 5I-5I being provided for permanently connecting the parts. Latch plate 35 is preferably provided with forwardly projecting ears or lugs 52 for centering spring 24, and rearwardly projecting lugs 53 engaging the cylinder head for spacing the plate therefrom to prevent the thrust of spring 24 from crowding latch 42 and interfering with free movement thereof. As seen in Fig. 2, plate 35 engages the shoulder formed by the end of cylinder 22 which prevents displacement of the plate in the opposite direction.

The cylinder head has a neck portion 54 which is preferably internally threaded for the reception of a grip or button 55 provided with an internal bore 56 into which above mentioned rod 26 extends, there being substantial clearance about the rod to permit floating thereof to accommodate slight Variations in the concentricity of the sliding parts with cylinder 22, or other unavoidable inaccuracies in manufacture. A pin 51 extends transversely of bore 56 and through a bore 58 in the rod, the pin being loose in the latter bore for the same purpose.

Rod 25 has a collar 58' adjacent the end opposite grip 55, and it is threaded at 59 for engaging a piston in a grease cartridge when it is desired to fill the gun in the manner disclosed in applicants prior Patent No. 1,956,073, and the end is pointed at Si! to more readily break the seal at the end of the cartridge.

To ll the gun according to this system the cylinder 22 is removed from the chamber 2| and grip 55 is disengaged from neck 54, after which the rod 26 may be drawn to the right as seen in Figs. l and 2, collar 58 engaging sleeve 25 and sliding the piston and gland element 31 also to the right, and compressing spring 24. When the parts reach nearly the position shown in Fig. 1, the conical head 40 pushes aside latch 42 against the resistance of spring 4S and passes through,

the latch then engaging shoulder 42 and preventv ing return of the gland element and spring.

The cartridge may then be inserted in the cylinder and the rod plunged forward through the grease in accordance with the teaching of the above mentioned patent. The cylinder is then again fixed to the ante-chamber 2| and the latch disengaged from shoulder 4I by means of pin 48 to apply the spring pressure to the reservoir.

For certain kinds of lubricant or for other reasons it is sometimes desirable to avoid pressure in the reservoir, and under these conditions the latch may be allowed to remain in engagement with the shoulder when piston 23 will follow up the grease under the influence of atmospheric pressure in? the manner common in certain types of guns.

In reservoirs of this general type there has been diiculty in the past with leakage of fluid along the rod under the influence of the spring pressure especially during extended periods of egreop'os and the fact that it isanchored:atoneffendfonly prevents any1 bindingiincpiston23,I evenrlin the event ofv slight inaccuraciesifinvthe .concentricity of the bore commonfinfstructuresofthistype f Charging fitting` C mayfbeofC-anyfsuitable type, conveniently consistingffofa 'tting for the reception of: a chuck of theetype customarily' associatedawith'a high-pressure grease 1ine,"2and'fhav ingV a body pcrtion=59 iixedfin any suitable manner `'with' thefgrease reservoir, for example onI the 'ante-chamber? 2l ,'i the :illustrated type; including/a tpin orfpinsf foriengagingfsuch a 'chuck and' holding it imposition. e Body 1 portion 59 'includes 'fa *spring-pressed valve :element "or 'loall A6I opening inwardly to admit" lubricant fromv theigreasev iline,!but to`preventits escape underi-the'pressureof piston :'23 when the line'l is L'removed. `v"I-l'ie*valveinaybe unseated fbyeatmospheric pressurev 'when'itI iis "desiredrtoretract .'.thepiston' 23 priori-to removing the reservoir foranyreasonfl s-when it'isidesired to allow -thepiston'23" to Treturntowar'd chamber' 2 ltol restore' thepr'es'su're' on the lubriv cant, after a period of non-use withtle piston Letters .Patent ofA the Unte'dfiStates iis:

'1. In grease gu'n'\havingiaf reservoir 'a rod floatably mounted 1 and extending substantially axiallyin the `reseriffiinfa "piston-providing an opening through which the rod extends; sai'dfpiston f 'being slidable l in the f reservoir, 'fa "follower elementga spring arranged to'urge said follower element into contact w'ithffthe"fpistcin; means for latching the follower` element at one' end f the reservoir,landI means on'the rod"eng"ag'ea'lle with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the *follower felement -'into latching position against the spring pressure, packing interposed between the follower and piston and arranged to be forced into sealing Contact with the rod by the spring pressure.

2. In a grease gun having a reservoir a rod iloatably mounted and extending substantially axially in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod extends, said opening being of a size substantially larger than the rod whereby said rod will have freedom for lateral movement in the piston, said piston being slidable in the reservoir, a follower element, a spring arranged to urge said follower element into contact with the piston, means for latching the follower element at one end of the reservoir, and means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the follower element into latching position against the spring pressure.

3. In a grease gun having a reservoir, a rod extending lengthwise of the reservoir, a piston slidable in the reservoir, and through which the rod extends, a follower element, a spring arranged to urge said follower toward said piston, sealing means on said follower and sealing means on said piston, said sealing means being positioned respectively on said follower and piston so as to be forced into contact with each other@ by *the spring pressure and arranged fto sea fthe -openin'glinfthepstoniabout the'frod, an'dmeansY oni-the 'rod for retracting ftlie piston and follower. v

mounted substantially l' axially in `vthe i rservoir for'foatingmovement in the reservoir,iv a A'piston providing? anjope'nin'g throughv which the-'rod extnds,isaid-piston'being slidable in the frservoir andfro'n theVV rod, a` followerl velement"n`o1"rnally springmrged into Contact 'with the piston, means forlatchng the follower elementat oneend of the reservoirjmea'ns' on' the vrod engageable with tlie piston for -retracting the same and -'focin'g tlf-ie follower element into latchin'g position againsttlie 'e spring v`pressure, a gland elementen theipiston and a cooperating -gland elementen the follower, saiclgland elements being 'so positioned onsaid piston and follower, respectively, as* to be forcedinto mating Contact by thef'spring pressure, the fioatingmovement ofthe rod fallowing the piston to freely traverse the reservoir regardless of slight inaccuracies inthe concnti'icity'of the reservoir and piston opening.

5.5In a-grease gun havinga reservoir and a rodf'm'ounted 'substantially axially in vthe reservoir, a piston providing an opening through; which the rodexte'nds, sai'dfpistn being'slidable in the reservoir, a follower element normallys'prin'gurged -into contact with the latching the follower elementatone end of the reservoir, means on the rod lengageabl'e with'the pistonfor retracting the same and forcingthe followerl element into latching position lagainst thefspring pressure, ton-and a cooperating gland 'element on thefllower, said gland elements being vso positioned on said piston and follower, respectively', asfto be forced into mating contact `Vby thespring pressure. -6. Ina grease Agun havinga reservoir 'a piston slidable in` "the reservoirja follower "element -norr'n-al'lyfs'pring-urged into oontactiwith the'piston,

means "for withdrawing grease from 'the-'reserQ voir'including a pump havingapassageway'c'oinr'nl-'inicatingV with the reservoir, spring "loaded checkUvalVe arranged -to control the'flowA of `uid through the passageway to discharge from the pump, and means for receiving grease under pressure into the reservoir for forcing the piston and follower to traverse the reservoir against the spring pressure, the loading of the check valve being predetermined and such as to resist the flow of grease sufficiently to prevent ow thereof from the passageway under normal pressure in the reservoir, but to yield in the event of development of excessive pressure in the reservoir by introduction of grease through said means.

7. In a grease gun having a reservoir a rod mounted substantially axially in the reservoir for floating movement in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod ex-V tends, said opening being of a size substantially larger than the rod whereby said rod will have freedom for lateral movement in the piston, said piston being slidable in the reservoir, a follower element, a spring normally urging the follower piston, means for lio 8.' In a grease gun having a reservoir a rod mounted substantially axially in the reservoir for floating movement in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod extends, there being substantial clearance between the piston and rod, said piston being slidable in the reservoir and on the rod, a follower element, a spring arranged to normally urge said follower element into contact with the piston, means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the follower element to traverse the reservoir against the spring pressure, the floating movement of the rod and the loose fit of the opening about the rod allowing the piston to freely traverse the reservoir regardless of slight inaccuracies in the concentricity of the reservoir and piston opening. 9. In a grease gun having a reservoir a rod mounted substantially axially in the reservoir for floating movement in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod extends, there being clearance between the piston and rod, said piston being slidable in the reservoir and on the rod, a follower element, a spring arranged to urge said element into contact with the piston, means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the follower element to traverse the reservoir against the spring pressure, a gland element on the piston, and a cooperating gland element on the follower, said gland elements being so positioned on said piston and follower, respectively, as to be forced into mating contact by the spring pressure, the floating movement of the rod and the loose fit of the opening about the rod allowing the piston to freely traverse the reservoir regardless of slight inaccuracies in the concentricity of the reservoir and piston opening.

10. In a grease gun having a reservoir a rod mounted substantially axially in the reservoir for floating movement in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod extends, said piston being slidable in the reservoir and on the rod, a follower element, a spring arranged to urge said element into contact with the piston, means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the follower element to traverseY the reservoir against the spring pressure, a gland element on the piston, and a cooperating gland element on the follower, said gland elements being so positioned on said piston and follower, respectively, as to be forced into mating contact by the spring pressure, the floating movement of the rod allowing the piston to freely traverse the reservoir regardless of slight inaccuracies in the concentricity of the reservoir and piston opening,

11. In a grease 'gun having a reservoir a rod mounted axially in the reservoir, a piston providing an opening through which the rod extends, said piston being slidable in the reservoir and on the rod, a follower element, a spring arranged to urge said follower element into contact with the piston, means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing the follower element to traverse the reservoir against the spring pressure, a gland element on the piston, and a cooperating gland element on the follower, said gland elements being so positioned on said piston and follower, respectively, as to be forced into mating Contact by the spring pressure.

12. In a greasegun having a reservoir cylinder, a rodvdisposed substantially axially in the reservoir and anchored thereto at one end, means for so anchoring the rod arranged to provide limited angular movement and limited bodily displacement so that the rod may take a position eccentric to the reservoir, at an angle to the axis thereof, or a position representing a combination of these positions, a piston through which the rod extends, said piston being slidable in the reservoir, spring means arranged to urge the piston in one direction to apply continuous pressure to material in the reservoir, and means on the rod engageable with the piston for retracting the same and forcing it to traverse the cylinder against the spring pressure, the floating movement of the rod provided by the anchoring means allowing the piston to freely traverse the reservoir regardless of slight inaccuracies in the concentricty of the reservoir and piston opening` NORMAN R. KRAUSE. 

